Travelling with food

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International terrorism has thankfully given Australian airlines
a taut new approach to luggage security. However, the all-Aussie
"she'll be right mate" attitude mostly prevails when it comes to
transportation of foodstuffs.

In response to questions on smelly cheeses, vacuum-packed meats,
cases of wine and haulage of vital kitchen equipment, the only
alarm bells set off were, unsurprisingly, over kitchen knives.

As any travelling chef will tell you, knives are not permitted
in your cabin baggage. But provided they are securely and sensibly
packaged, your precious instruments of precision may make the
journey in the luggage hold.

Many foods can be either taken on board, packed in your luggage
or sent as excess baggage. Common sense prevails and soft cheeses,
smallgoods or other potentially spoilable foodstuffs will need to
be appropriately packaged in car fridges or cooler packs and
securely sealed.

Discount domestic airline Jetstar says the main stipulation on
air-freighting food is that it must not breach the quarantine
restrictions in place at the travellers' destination.

This is where things get tricky. Fruit, vegetables, plants and
some seafoods are treated differently by each state.

For example, if you're travelling to Queensland you cannot take
banana plants, grapevines from NSW or Victoria and some fruit and
vegetables from SA and WA. And don't attempt a journey to Tasmania
carrying onions, garlic, fruit, vegetables or salmon.

If you are travelling overseas, however, you will need to check
your destination's customs/quarantine laws.

If you want to send a case of wine, box of supplies or a car
fridge containing food with your luggage, Qantas will charge you an
excess baggage rate of about $11 for items weighing less than 32
kilograms. (A box of wine weighs about 15 kilograms).

Phil Hude, owner of Armadale Cellars, says there are risks
involved in sending wine as excess baggage and that he prefers to
travel with a six-pack of wine as cabin baggage.

Hude says he's heard of wine freezing in high altitudes,
overheating if placed too close to working engines and bottles
smashing during rough-and-ready baggage handling.

If you decide to take these risks, ensure your wine bottles are
well insulated, particularly around the necks, and pack them
properly.

Otherwise, suggests Hude, strike a deal with your local wine
merchant and see if they will freight your holiday supplies for
you.

Another alternative is Australia Post. Again, check local laws
if posting fruit, plants or vegetables, but most items can be sent,
again providing they are securely packed.

The Australia Post
website features a handy postage calculator that will allow you to
work out transport costs.

By our calculations, a box of wine would cost about $20 to send
from Melbourne to the Gold Coast.